Student Identity Verification in Distance Education

Academic Affairs recently updated the Student Identity Verification (SIV) in Distance Education policy to better comply with the Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) guidance. Please carefully read the policy, linked above, and note that the SIV Policy FAQ, which will be available soon, will provide more information about the updated requirements for faculty and students.

Students are responsible for participating in the identity verification method specified by the faculty member. Faculty have the flexibility to determine how best to achieve this, given the format of the course, the opportunities in the course for verification, etc.

For synchronous online courses, SIV might include a live web/video conferencing session which could be scheduled as a part of a virtual class session and/or individual virtual meetings with students. It is also possible to complete identity verification through an AI proctored activity like a quiz, exam or other type of assessment. Learn more about SIV in online synchronous courses.

For asynchronous online courses, the options to verify student identity outside of a synchronous Zoom meeting might include:

• A video assignment or discussion which incorporates the student in the video, submitted by week 3 of the semester. Learn more about setting up video assignments and discussions
• A photo assignment or discussion which incorporates an image of the student, submitted by week 3 of the semester.
• An AI-proctored low-stakes assessment using the myCourses Quiz feature, completed by week 3 of the semester. Learn more about using AI proctoring in myCourses

All of these options still require the instructor to physically compare the image of the student in the assignment to the RIT approved photo in SIS in order to ensure the student’s identity.

The Center for Teaching and Learning has developed a sample syllabus statement online faculty can use to support Student Identity Verification in online courses at RIT. Faculty can modify the suggested statement to best fit their pedagogical approach.

Have teaching and learning questions related to online instruction? Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning to request a consultation.